Islamic arbitration institutions and practices in the United Kingdom

With the migrations to the United Kingdom, a significant Muslim community has emerged there. This community has sought various solutions to address their legal needs in accordance with their religious and cultural values. In the initial phase, informal Sharia councils were established, and subsequently, with the Arbitration Act that entered into force in 1996, the Muslim Arbitration Tribunal was founded, whose decisions can also be recognized by English courts. As a result, Muslims in the United Kingdom have gained the opportunity to produce solutions compatible with their own values within the English legal system, particularly in disputes related to commercial and family law. In this study, the Muslim Arbitration Tribunal and Sharia councils established by Muslim communities in the United Kingdom to meet their legal needs have been examined in detail. The establishment processes, areas of application, operational methods, and societal reception of these structures have been evaluated; additionally, academic, social, and political criticisms directed at these institutions have been addressed in order to elucidate their position within society. Finally, consideration has been given to whether the United Kingdom's practice could serve as an example in the debates in our country regarding the possibility of selecting Islamic law as arbitration law.